How to Cope While Waiting to Hear Back About Your Dream Job

So you’ve finally had that important interview, the one that might land you the gig of your dreams. Maybe you nailed it. Maybe you’re not quite sure. Either way, you’re in the worst stage of job searching: Waiting by the phone or computer, hoping that good news will soon come your way. What should you do now?

1. Say Thank You

“Writing a thank you letter after a job interview is a must!” writes Alison Doyle, Job Searching Guide for About.com. “In fact, some employers think less of those interviewees who fail to follow-up promptly.”

Depending on the company and type of job, you might be able to get away with writing a thank-you email, but you definitely need to say thanks for the opportunity.

2. Don’t Stalk Them

Saying thank you, once, is appropriate and good form. Hounding them on a daily basis for the next two weeks isn’t going to get you anywhere. Remember that everything you do before you get the offer is a way of showing your prospective employer who they’ll be dealing with if they decide to hire you. Show them you’re the kind of person they’ll want to have around the office, not the kind of person who will follow them into the restroom with questions.

3. Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Employer

Many people make the mistake of halting their job search after a good interview. Don’t. If nothing else, looking into other opportunities will take your mind off waiting for the phone to ring.

Jen Hubley Luckwaldt

Jen Hubley Luckwaldt writes about work-life balance, stress management, and other topics relating to what makes us happy at work. A full-time freelancer, she deals with stress by blurring the lines between life and work to the point where the two spheres are barely separate. The happiest day of her career was when scientists proved that looking at pictures of cute animals makes us more productive.